Method of forming electrical connections



No. 6l4,839. Patented Nov. 29, I898.

-W. B. CLEVELAND. METHOD OF FORMING ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS.

(Application filed May 9, 189B.)

(No-Model.)

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UNITE STATES Fri-cs.

Arnnr WILLIAM B. CLEVELAND, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 614,839, dated November 29, 1898.

' Application filed May 9, 1898. Serial No. 680,116. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Beitknown thatLWILLIAMB.CLEVELAND, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Ouyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful 1mprovement in Methods of Forming Electrical Connections, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

My invention relates particularly to electrical connections made by casting metal onto the .ends of laminated conductors, such as copper cables, and has for its object the production of a more perfect connection than has heretofore been obtained-that is, a connection offering less resistance to the passage of a current, and hence enhancing its economical value. I-Ieretofore electrical connections have been made by casting a copper head upon the conductor that forms the connection, and the connection has been finished by forging without reheating. connection is thus formed; but careful tests have demonstrated the fact that the weld or connection between the head and conductor is not perfect and the joint offers more resistance than a perfect connection should. This is due to the fact that the molten metal though adhering in spots does not come into perfect contact throughout the periphery of the wires, owing to the cold wires rapidly chilling the molten metal before cohesion obtains, and owing also to the fact that the molten metal will not flow into narrow spaces and crevices between the wires due to depressions and irregularities of the wires themselves; but I have discovered that if the contiguous surfaces of the two metals to be united can be kept free from atmospheric contact a perfect union is effected, homogeneity of the two metals is attained, and a perfect conductor secured.

In carrying out my invention as applied to copper connections I cast the molten copper upon the conductor, and in orderto bring the two surfaces into closer and more perfect contact and weld them together I bring the A fairly good metal to a welding heat. Then while the two contiguous surfaces of metal are free from atmospheric contact the cast copper and the embedded conductor are subjected to the application of pressure or forged by the blow of a hammer. The latter step unites the two surfaces and forms a perfect connection.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail one mode of carrying out the invention, such disclosed mode constituting but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings, Figure I represents a top plan view of an electrical connection made by my improved method on the end of a wire cable, showing also a top planview of a casting-mold. Fig. II represents a vertical cross-sectional View of the connection, taken upon line 2 2, Fig. I, showing also a hammer and a die in partial side elevation; and Fig. III represents a perspective view of the connection. A

For means for manufacturing my improved connections I provide a mold A, formed with a cavity a. The strands b of the-cable are placed in said cavity a proper distance from the bottom and the molten copper cast into it, embedding the said strands. The connection is then brought to a welding heat and in this heated condition is placed in a suitable die B of a form similar to that of the mold and given a blow of a hammer C. This act unites the surfaces of the wires and the cast copper and expels any gases present in the.

ing of: first, casting one member upon the I freefrom contactof atmospheric air, substanother, heating the two contiguous surfaces to tially as set forth. a welding heat while free from atmospheric Signed by me this 6th day of May, 1898.

contact: second, supporting the casting in a \VM. B. CLEVELAND. 5 die to prevent distortion; and third, uniting Attest:

the two members by application of pressure J. C. TURNER,

while they are at a welding temperature and D. T. DAVIES. 

